How to Resolve Conflict Biblically?
How to Resolve Conflict Biblically? Resolve conflict by examining your own heart first, going privately to the offender, speaking truth in love, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and involving wise believers if needed.
Key verse: Matthew 18:15 (KJV)
Resolve conflict by examining your own heart first, going privately to the offender, speaking truth in love, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and involving wise believers if needed.
Resolve conflict by examining your own heart first, going privately to the offender, speaking truth in love, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and involving wise believers if needed.
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." — Matthew 18:15 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Jesus laid out the steps in Matthew 18. Begin alone: go to the offender privately. Most conflicts end here. If they refuse to hear, bring one or two witnesses. If still refused, involve the church. The pattern is gentle escalation aimed at restoration, never humiliation.\n\nSelf-examination comes first. Matthew 7:5 commands removing the beam from one's own eye before addressing another's mote. Honest believers usually find responsibility on both sides. Confess your own part before naming theirs (Proverbs 28:13).\n\nSpeak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) — not love without truth (cowardice) nor truth without love (cruelty). Aim for reconciliation, not victory. Forgive as Christ forgave (Ephesians 4:32). Where reconciliation is refused, Romans 12:18 sets the bar: 'as much as lieth in you, live peaceably' — do your part and leave outcomes to God.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Truth?
What the Bible teaches about truth, living authentically, and the nature of God as truth.
Key Scripture References
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."
"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
How to Forgive Someone Biblically?
Biblical forgiveness is a commanded act of the will — releasing the debt of sin against you — modelled on Christ's own forgiveness, and sustained by prayer and the Holy Spirit regardless of feeling or reciprocation.
How to Deal with Anger Biblically?
Believers handle anger by being slow to wrath, addressing it before sundown, refusing bitterness and revenge, and bringing the matter to God in prayer rather than acting on the flesh.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
How to Deal with Stress Biblically?
Daily Living
How to Tithe Biblically?
Daily Living
How to Handle Money Biblically?
Daily Living
1 Corinthians 10:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Living for God's Glory
Facing Temptation
Scriptures to strengthen your resolve when temptation pulls you away from God's
Practicing Generosity
Scriptures about giving, generosity, and the blessing of open-handed living.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “How to Resolve Conflict Biblically?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.